Urinal coaster

ABSTRACT

A urinal coaster affixed to an upper portion of a plumbing fixture of a urinal. The coaster includes a planar section affixed to a top of the plumbing fixture by an elastomeric attachment section surrounding the upper portion of the plumbing fixture. A beverage container may be positioned on top of the planar section.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to urinals, and more particularly, to acoaster affixed to a top portion of a plumbing fixture of a urinal.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] For a variety of reasons, it is not uncommon for people to holdtheir beverage container with them at all times at a public bar,restaurant, or public event location. Specifically, many men fear thatif their beverage containers are left unattended, that the containerswill be removed or tampered with. One place where it is awkward to carrythe beverage container is into the restroom. When a man is urinating ina conventional urinal, many men place their beverage containers, such asbeer bottles on top of the upper portion of the urinal. However, thisplace provides a precarious perch for the beverage container since mostplumbing fixtures include a large hex-shaped nut protruding from the topof the plumbing fixture. Yet, many men still place the beveragecontainer in this location, which can result in the inadvertent spillageof the beverage container. Additionally, since men must spend a limitedperiod of time urinating, there is a brief moment in which the men havenothing to do. The urinal offers an ideal location to place variousadvertisements for review by urinating patrons. Currently, manyfacilities, such as bars, include bulletin boards to provide readingmaterial to men utilizing the urinals. However, there is no existingdevice which covers the upper portion of the urinal with advertisingspace. A device is needed which provides a safe convenient perch forplacement of a beverage container for a man urinating in a conventionalpublic urinal, while providing an advertisement place for review by theurinating man.

[0005] Although there are no known prior art teachings of a device suchas that disclosed herein, prior art references that discuss subjectmatter that bears some relation to matters discussed herein are U.S.Pat. No. 5,054,733 to Shields (Shields), U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,770 toLouthan (Louthan), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,292 to O'Toole (O'Toole).Shields discloses an adjustable support device for use in a vehicle forremovably securing an open container to prevent the spillage of thecontents within the container. The support device includes a pair ofadjacent ring members secured together so as to prevent separation whileallowing for relative rotation about a common central axis. The lowerring member is defined by the upper portion of a base member which alsodefines a horizontal beverage container support surface and a non-skidlower bottom surface adapted to rest on a horizontal surface in avehicle. A plurality of radial gripping flanges are carried by andproject outwardly from the ring members which are adapted to be graspedby the user to facilitate relative rotation of the ring members.However, Shields does not teach or suggest affixing the coaster to aurinal to provide a planar surface for the placement of a beveragecontainer.

[0006] Louthan discloses a holder connected to a support for holding abeverage receptacle. This holder includes a body with a strapconstructed of a flexible material connected to the body. The strap isremovably connected to the support. The holder also includes a connectorfor connecting the holder to an automobile ashtray and means forconnecting the holder in a cup opening of an automobile console.However, Louthan does not teach or suggest affixing the holder to aurinal. Additionally, Louthan does not disclose providing advertising onthe beverage holder.

[0007] O'Toole discloses a cover used for commercial advertising for theflush handle of commercially made toilets and urinals. In oneembodiment, the cover is a container, where printed matter illustrates aparticular advertisement. A second embodiment is a molded replica of anovelty piece or the actual product being advertised. Each embodiment isattached by a nylon, plastic, or rubber sleeve that slides onto themetal flush handle of a toilet and tightly fits onto the smallestdiameter of the toilet flush handle by at least two Allen screws.However, O'Toole does not teach or suggest affixing the covering to thetop portion of the plumbing fixture of the urinal or providing a planarsurface for a beverage container.

[0008] Review of the foregoing references reveals no disclosure orsuggestion of a coaster affixed to the top portion of a urinal as thatdescribed and claimed herein. Thus, it would be a distinct advantage tohave a platform for holding a beverage container on a top portion of theplumbing fixture of a urinal which provides advertising space on theplatform. It is an object of the present invention to provide such adevice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In one aspect, the present invention is a urinal coaster forplacement of a beverage container on an upper portion of a plumbingfixture of a urinal. The coaster includes a planar section sized andshaped to fit on the upper portion of the plumbing fixture of theurinal. Additionally, the planar section is affixed to the upper portionof the plumbing fixture. The beverage container is then placed on a topsurface of the planar section.

[0010] In another aspect, the present invention is a urinal coaster forplacement of a beverage container on an upper portion of a plumbingfixture of a urinal. The coaster includes a planar section sized andshaped to fit on the upper portion of the plumbing fixture of theurinal. An attachment section surrounds the upper portion of theplumbing fixture to affix the planar section to the plumbing fixture.The beverage container is placed on a top surface of the planar section.

[0011] In still another aspect, the present invention is a placementsystem for positioning a beverage container on an upper portion of aplumbing fixture of a urinal. The placement system includes a urinalhaving a plumbing fixture and a planar section sized and shaped to fiton an upper portion of the plumbing fixture of the urinal. Additionally,the system includes an attachment section surrounding the upper portionof the plumbing fixture to affix the planar section to the plumbingfixture. The beverage container may then be placed on a top surface ofthe planar section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The invention will be better understood and its numerous objectsand advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art byreference to the following drawings, in conjunction with theaccompanying specification, in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional urinal;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a front view of the upper portion of the plumbingfixture;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a top view of the upper portion illustrating thehex-shaped nut;

[0016]FIG. 4 is an exploded front view of a urinal coaster and the upperportion of the plumbing fixture;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a top view of the urinal coaster;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a front view of the urinal coaster affixed to the upperportion of the plumbing fixture illustrating a beverage bottlepositioned on the urinal coaster in the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0019]FIG. 7 is an exploded front view of a urinal coaster and the upperportion of the plumbing fixture in an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention; and

[0020]FIG. 8 is a top view of the urinal coaster.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0021] A coaster providing a platform for a beverage container which isaffixed to an upper portion of a urinal is disclosed. FIG. 1 is a frontview of a conventional urinal 20. The urinal includes a porcelainportion 22 and a plumbing fixture 24. On an upper portion 26 of theplumbing fixture is a hex-shaped nut 28. The hex-shaped nut protrudesupwardly from the upper portion of the plumbing fixture.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a front view of the upper portion 26 of the plumbingfixture 24. FIG. 3 is a top view of the upper portion 26 illustratingthe hex-shaped nut 28. Normally, when a man urinates at a urinal, theman positions a beverage container on the flat surface of the hex-shapednut. Since the hex-shaped nut protrudes upwardly from the upper portionof the plumbing fixture, properly positioning the beverage container onthe hex-shaped nut is sometimes difficult. The beverage container canalso easily fall off its perch.

[0023]FIG. 4 is an exploded front view of a urinal coaster 30 and theupper portion 26 of the plumbing fixture 24. The urinal coaster isgenerally circular and sized to fit the upper portion of the plumbingfixture. However, the size and shape of the coaster may vary toaccommodate various shapes and sizes of the top portion of the plumbingfixture. Some urinals may have an upper portion of the plumbing fixturewhich does not include a hex-shaped nut or may include a different sizeand shape. The coaster includes a planar section 32. In the preferredembodiment of the present invention, the planar section is generallycircular, larger than the diameter of the hex-shaped nut and slightlysmaller than the upper portion 26 of the plumbing fixture 24. Thisprovides a large surface for holding the beverage container.

[0024] The coaster also includes an attachment section 34 runningdownwardly from the planar section. Preferably, the attachment sectionis constructed of an elastomeric material allowing the attachmentsection to grasp and surround the upper portion 26. However, ifnecessary, by utilizing the elastomeric material, the coaster may beeasily removed from the upper section of the plumbing fixture. On anouter edge 36 of the attachment section 34 is a space large enough toaccommodate an advertisement 38.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a top view of the urinal coaster 30. An advertisement 40may be placed on a top surface 42 of the planar section 32. The planarsection is preferably constructed of a rigid material strong enough tosupport a beverage container.

[0026]FIG. 6 is a front view of the urinal coaster 30 affixed to theupper portion 26 of the plumbing fixture 24 illustrating a beveragebottle 50 positioned on the urinal coaster in the preferred embodimentof the present invention. The coaster is attached to the plumbingfixture by positioning the attachment section around the upper portionof the plumbing fixture. The beverage bottle 50 is easily and safelypositioned on the planar section. The coaster prominently displays theadvertisement 38. When a beverage container is not positioned on theplanar section, the advertisement 40 (FIG. 5) is also displayed.Additionally, since the coaster completely encompasses the upper portionof the plumbing fixture and the hex-shaped nut, the coaster provides anenhanced aesthetic appearance for the urinal 20.

[0027]FIG. 7 is an exploded front view of a urinal coaster 90 and theupper portion 26 of the plumbing fixture 24 in an alternate embodimentof the present invention. The urinal coaster 90 is similar to thecoaster 30 by having the planar section 32, the attachment section 34,the outer edge 36 and the advertisement 38. The urinal coaster 90 mayalso be attached to the upper portion of the plumbing fixture in thesame manner discussed for the coaster 30. However, the urinal coaster 90also includes a substantially circular rim wall 92. The rim wall extendsupwardly from a circumference of the planar section. FIG. 8 is a topview of the urinal coaster 90. The coaster 90 includes the advertisement40.

[0028] The urinal coaster 90 provides additional security in holding abeverage container in place on the planar section 32. By providing therim wall 92, there is less likelihood for the beverage container to fallfrom its perch on the coaster 90. The rim wall prevents the beveragecontainer from being inadvertently hit off its perch.

[0029] The urinal coaster may also be attached to the upper urinal byother methods, such as adhesive being attached to a portion of theurinal coaster contacting the hex-shaped nut. Additionally, rather thanutilizing an elastomeric material, the attachment section 34 may attacharound the upper portion of the plumbing fixture by straps, or open andclose in a clam-shape fashion around the fixture. The urinal coaster maybe attached by any means allowing the urinal coaster to remain securelyfastened to the plumbing fixture, while still allowing the planarsection to be used to position a beverage container upon. The urinalcoaster may also be sized and shaped to fit a wide variety of plumbingfixtures. For example, there are many models and shapes of the upperportion of the plumbing fixtures of urinals. The urinal coaster may beshaped in such a fashion to be affixed to any urinal plumbing fixturewhich provides a convenient location for placing a beverage container onwhile a user is urinating.

[0030] In addition, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention,the urinal may include a sensor which senses the presence of a personlocated in front of the urinal. When the person leaves, the urinalautomatically flushes. Sometimes the sensor may be located on the upperportion of the plumbing fixture. When a sensor is positioned on theplumbing fixture, the urinal coaster may be shaped to allow the sensorto still sense individuals. For example, the coast may include a gap,hole or slot allowing the sensor to function properly.

[0031] The urinal coaster offers several advantages. First, the coasteroffers a secure area for positioning a beverage container for a manwhile urinating at a urinal. Additional, the urinal coaster provideseasy attachment and removal. The urinal coaster also allows forprominent display of advertisements, which may be changed as requiredfor various events. The urinal coaster also enhances the appearance ofthe plumbing fixture by covering the upper portion of the plumbingfixture with a pleasing advertisement display.

[0032] It is thus believed that the operation and construction of thepresent invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. Whilethe device shown and described has been characterized as beingpreferred, it will be readily apparent that various changes andmodifications could be made therein without departing from the scope ofthe invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A urinal coaster for placement of a beveragecontainer on an upper portion of a plumbing fixture of a urinal, thecoaster comprising: a planar section sized and shaped to fit on theupper portion of the plumbing fixture of the urinal; and means foraffixing the planar section to the upper portion of the plumbingfixture, whereby the beverage container is placed on a top surface ofthe planar section.
 2. The urinal coaster of claim 1 wherein the planarsection is substantially circular and sized to accommodate the beveragecontainer.
 3. The urinal coaster of claim 1 wherein the means foraffixing the planar section to the upper portion of the plumbing fixtureincludes an attachment section surrounding the upper portion of theplumbing fixture.
 4. The urinal coaster of claim 4 wherein theattachment section is constructed of an elastomeric material.
 5. Theurinal coaster of claim 4 wherein the attachment section includes anadvertisement located on an outer surface of the attachment section. 6.The urinal coaster of claim 1 wherein the means for affixing the planarsection to the upper portion of the plumbing fixture includes applyingan adhesive to a bottom surface of the planar section and positioningthe planar section to the upper portion of the plumbing fixture.
 7. Theurinal coaster of claim 1 wherein the means for affixing the planarsection to the upper portion of the plumbing fixture includes attachingan attachment section around the upper portion of the plumbing fixturein clamshell fashion.
 8. The urinal coaster of claim 1 wherein theplanar section includes a rim extending upwardly from the planarsection, whereby the beverage container is positioned within an interiorportion of the rim.
 9. The urinal coaster of claim 8 wherein the rimincludes an advertisement located to an outer surface of the rim. 10.The urinal coaster of claim 1 wherein the top surface of the planarsection includes an advertisement.
 11. A urinal coaster for placement ofa beverage container on an upper portion of a plumbing fixture of aurinal, the coaster comprising: a planar section sized and shaped to fiton the upper portion of the plumbing fixture of the urinal; and anattachment section surrounding the upper portion of the plumbing fixtureto affix the planar section to the plumbing fixture, whereby thebeverage container is placed on a top surface of the planar section. 12.A placement system for positioning a beverage container on a urinal, thebeverage container comprising: a urinal having a plumbing fixture; aplanar section sized and shaped to fit on an upper portion of theplumbing fixture of the urinal; and an attachment section surroundingthe upper portion of the plumbing fixture to affix the planar section tothe plumbing fixture, whereby the beverage container is placed on a topsurface of the planar section.
 13. The placement system of claim 12wherein the upper portion of the plumbing fixture includes a hex-shapednut located on a top of the upper portion of the plumbing fixture,whereby the planar section is positioned on the hex-shaped nut.
 14. Theplacement system of claim 12 wherein the plumbing fixture includes asensor for sensing the presence of an individual located in front of theurinal; and wherein the attachment section is shaped to allow the sensorto operate properly.